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Hey everyone,
This is off topic, but sorta related, seeing as how long hair often accompanies musicianship. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any good books or sites to help me get started. I really know nothing, I couldn't tell you what's an A or a C note, let alone figure out how to play them.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. My hair growing is going well. Right now my bangs fall to just below my nose if I pull on them. They're finally long enough that I'm going to have to start parting them differently, they're too heavy to be pushed to one side.
Thanks,
Keith
Here's few sites that should help you get started. www.cyberfret.com, www.wholenote.com,
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/instruction.html That last site has several links to alot of useful information. Some of which is aimed at the total beginner. Although these sites should help you atleast get started I highly recommend you take lessons from an instructor. Online lessons are great, but there's nothing like being in the same room with a teacher. Especially when you are first learning. Good luck!
I agree with Gibson Guy...there's nothing better than having a good instructor get you started. Eventually you'll develop an "ear" for transcribing songs that you hear without the aid of a tab site or song books from music stores.
Here's some advice and things to watch out for:
1) Beware of song books with guitar chords because they're not always right. Sure, they'll get you started and they do sound close but they tend to concentrate only on the first 3 frets of the guitar. Each chord can be played in several places and forms on a guitar. In many cases, the guitar book chords will actually be more difficult than the way the artist plays it.
2) The same thing applies to tab sites on the net. Sometimes they're on the money but other times they're just an easier way of playing the song. Again, the chords may be right, but they may not be showing the way the original artist played them. These nuances really effect the sound. As you develop your skills you will find this out for yourself. I do recommend the tab sites over guitar books though.
On a personal note regarding tab sites, I still haven't discovered one that can show me how Steve Howe of Yes plays the opening to Starship Trooper. If anyone knows that PLEEEEEZ fire me off an email. My life will be complete then LOL.
3) Pick up licks whenever you can. Go see other bands and get close enough to see how the guitarist is playing things. You can pick up a TON of ideas and information by doing this. If you have a favorite band or player, pick up a dvd if available. They can be invaluable.
4) Subscribe to a magazine like "Guitar Player." They have interviews with your favorite guitar players where they share their skills with the reader. They also include great lessons, tips, and info on guitar gear!
5) Don't be discouraged if you're not playing like Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, or Stevie Ray in a couple of weeks. These things take time, but you'll get there eventually!
6) Don't be intimidated by others. DON'T tell yourself: "I'll never be able to play like that." You'll be surprised how easy some of these riffs are and that you can play them. Start off slow and then develop it.
7) For God's sakes, HAVE FUN
The guitar's a great instrument and the source of alot of fun. You won't regret it!
Hope this helps...sorry it was so wordy.
Keep pickin' and keep it growin'
Brett
If you plan on playing guitar, you'll need to develop a ear for music first to really get anywhere. Sometimes it gets on my nerves that people think that just because the guitar is a popular instrument, it must be fairly easy to play! That's not true at all. Chord books will only take you so far, and it will take much longer to get to that level without a teacher. There are exceptions, like people who've played musical instruments before find it considerably easier to experiment and learn with other instruments like the guitar. I've been playing the violin for 8 years and am on my last grade before entry into music college is possible. It's taken me 8 years so use and enhance my musical ear, as I already had one before I even played an instrument. I've had theory lessons, practical playing lessons, and passed loads of grades, but if it wasn't for my teachers, I doubt I would have reached half the level I am at now. So all I'm saying is, there's nothing better than having a good teacher teach you music. Try and get one if it's possible.
Sorry about that, that sounded like I was trying to have a go on you, I didn't mean to sound like that, I'm just feeling like putting things blunt today.
And as for the hair, that's great progress! I am at the same point as you, taken me 7 months.
Gibson guy has reccommended some good sites. I use http://www.guitarboard.com/
Keep growing man.
I've been playing guitar for about 3 months. Unless you actually want to have like a traditional metal/rock band or just for personal interest then all those learning sites will help you. I just used a few sites to learn a few basics. Learning names of notes or chords is stupid. Mikael Akerfeltd of Opeth doesnt know any of the chord names that he uses yet he writes perhaps the greatest music in the world. When the folks of Celtic Frost were a bunch of young teens in a band known as Hellhammer they didnt know how to play their instruments. They didnt take any lessons. All they wanted to do was play heavier music than Venom. And that they succeeded. They created black/death metal.
I myself am planning to be a vocalist and singer of a black/death metal band known as Skullhammer.
http://guitar.about.com has some usefull things. I use http://www.powertabs.net for tabs used for Powertab obviously.
I use either http://www.ultimate-guitar.com or http://www.metaltabs.com for some metal tabs.
And remember (I quote this from Richard Lederer of a symphonic black metal called Summoning who responded to my email recently) "But always remember: not the fast fingers make the
real music, it is your creativity and mind that does."
Good luck...
I'm learning guitar, but I'm stuck with a nasty acoustic. I'd much rather learn on an electric, but I don't have enough $$ at the moment to buy one :(
Thanks everybody!
I haven't had any time at all to practice, work and stuff, best friend's leaving for marines monday so I'm hanging with him.
Once he's gone I've got a few days off to mess around with it. I also found out my roommate for college plays guitar, and I'm going to see about taking a music class next year.
